Completion of this stage is referred to as Admission to Candidacy for the degree. Requires completion of all course work and fulfillment of any special departmental requirements (e.g., additional language examinations, if any), the passing of the comprehensive examinations, and approval of the dissertation proposal (see below for specific information regarding requirements for the comprehensive examinations). The evaluation is determined by the major department and could include, but is not limited to, an examination or other appropriate review that must be successfully completed before entering Stage 2. This evaluation will take place no later than the end of the second year to determine if the student is making satisfactory progress, and will be communicated in writing to the student. Students who have already completed a master’s degree equivalent to that awarded by the major department are considered to have completed the first stage of the doctoral program unless the department stipulates otherwise.Įach academic unit that is responsible for a doctoral program will have a procedure to evaluate a student’s progress during this stage. Requires completion with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Ball State University or another university that is accredited by its regional accrediting agency. Completion of the Master’s Degree or its Equivalent.